TOYOTA TO START FORTUNER SUV PRODUCTION IN KAZAKHSTAN (ENG)

(The following press release from Toyota Europe was received by e-mail. It
was not confirmed by the sender.)
Toyota Motor Corporation
Toyota ?Fortuner? SUV Knockdown Production to Begin in Kazakhstan
Astana, Kazakhstan, February 12, 2013?Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC)
signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the government of the
Republic of Kazakhstan here today to begin local knockdown production of
the ?Fortuner? SUV. Production of the vehicle will begin in the spring of
2014 at a facility of Saryarka AvtoProm LLP (SAP) in Kostanay, Kazakhstan
at a planned pace of approximately 3,000 units per year.
The MoU was signed at a ceremony here by Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and
Minister of Industry and New Technologies Asset Issekeshev, and TMC Senior
Managing Officer Didier Leroy, also President and CEO of Toyota Motor
Europe NV/SA, TMC?s holding subsidiary in Europe.
At the ceremony, Issekeshev said: ?This project is a strategically
important step towards the development of the automotive industry in
Kazakhstan. I believe it will lead the way for the engineering industry
in Kazakhstan.?
Leroy commented: ?This project is an important milestone for Toyota and
Kazakhstan, and is a product of our strong and cooperative relationship
with the Kazakh government. We strongly believe that the potential for
economic growth and a strong automobile market here is excellent. By
starting production locally, we can actively contribute to the
acceleration of motorization and industrialization of the country and I am
convinced that Toyota will gain a new dimension in the market in order to
attract and satisfy more customers.?
Concerning the MoU, Toyota Motor Kazakhstan President Shingo Kato said:
?We are very pleased by this MoU enabling Kazakhstan production of the
Fortuner and I would like to express my heartfelt appreciation to the
government and all the other people who made it possible. Once this
made-in-Kazakhstan true off-roader begins coming off the line here, we
will be able to offer an extended model line-up, including ten imported
Toyota models such as the Camry and the Land Cruiser, as well as seven
Lexus models.?
A contract will be signed later this month defining the roles, outlined
below, of the parties involved.
1) TMC: Provision of comprehensive technical guidance and assistance
to SAP
2) TMKZ: Vehicle sales
3) SAP: Knockdown production
4) Toyota Tsusho Corporation: Shipment of knockdown kit parts
TMC established Toyota Motor Kazakhstan LLP (TMKZ) as a sales and
marketing company in May 2008 to import and sell Toyota- and Lexus-brand
vehicles in Kazakhstan. Kazakhstan was chosen as a location for knockdown
production in consideration of its market potential.
Based on its founding philosophy of contributing to society through the
manufacture of automobiles, TMC is committed to conducting business in a
manner that contributes to the continued development of Kazakhstan?s
automobile industry and economy, as well as to providing products that
exceed expectations.
Overview of Saryarka AvtoProm LLP (SAP)
Location
Kostanay, Republic of Kazakhstan
Establishment
May 2010
President
Rashid Baibulatov
Equity participation
Allur Avto: 51%, SPK Tobol: 49%
Products
Kyron and six other models (for SsangYong Motor, South Korea)
Chance (for ZAZ, Ukraine)
Overview of Toyota Motor Kazakhstan LLP (TMKZ)
Location
Almaty, Republic of Kazakhstan
Establishment
May 2008
President
Shingo Kato
Equity participation
Toyota Motor Europe NV/SA: 100%
Employees
Approx. 50
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http://bit.ly/YnHuxu.